Central Park polar bear passes at age 27

A polar bear stands during feeding at Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, northern Germany, on October 10, 2012. The new Eismeer (polar sea) has been open for 100 days at the zoo.

Gus, New York City's famous Central Park Zoo polar bear, has died at the ripe age of 27 after battling cancer complications — leaving a hole in the heart of many critter-loving city dwellers.

The popular polar bear had been lethargic and disinterested in eating, and a health check showed that he had an inoperable tumor, wrote the New York Times. Zoo officials made the tough call to euthanize him on Tuesday.

Stewart has a point: world polar bear numbers are dropping, and zoo populations may prove important in protecting the species in the face of global warming and habitat destruction. Psychological concerns aside.